Raw Review 08/05/2019

RAW REVIEW 08/05/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s SummerSlam PPV!!! After being brutally attacked by Brock Lesnar last week how will the #1 Contender for the Universal Champion Seth Rollins respond just mere days before their epic title match? Plus, will we get answers tonight on what exactly happened in the scary incident that almost took Roman Reigns out on SmackDown Live last week? Also, what will be the reaction from both Champion and Challenger as Becky Lynch and Natalya will now face off in a Submission Match at SummerSlam? On the same note what will happen when Trish Stratus returns to team up with Natalya to take on Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair? The O.C. has been running wild on Raw with now holding the U.S. Championship and Raw Tag Team Championships but how can AJ Styles opponent Ricochet slow the O.C. down ahead of their championship Match? Finally, what will happen when Shawn Michaels joins The Miz and Dolph Ziggler in the ring for their match contract signing?

Raw comes to us from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.

Raw kicks off with a 10 bell salute for the victims from the tragedies in EL Paso and Dayton, OH this past weekend.

On Stage Segment: Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe gets on the commentary table and tells them he knows they will talk about what happened to Roman Reigns. He says his phone has been blown up with accusations. He asks Michael if he saw him anywhere near Reigns or if Kayla Braxton saw him near him. Michael tells him we are live. Joe tells him they are live with Samoa Joe. Corey tells him he has to understand why he had accusations. Cole tells him there was a pole that 80 percent of people said he did it. Joe says he took a poll and 80 percent of the WWE Universe are idiots. He tells them to play it back if they want to see what happened. Cole then calls for the video from SmackDown Live last week. Joe says he didn’t see one frame of footage with him in it. He asks if anyone has any proof. He says his good name has been besmirched. He says he will stay here tonight until Reigns comes out and he gets the apology he deserves. He says if anyone has a problem, he is then cut off and here comes Becky Lynch.
My Opinion:
I loved that hot start with Joe! Joe had so much passion with that and he should as he’s being accused without proof. This kicks the night off with a bang and right away gets to the story we are all wondering about. This was one of those things that need to happen more with just unexpected, passionate starts to Raw. it was awesome and hopefully, we get some answers before the night ends.

Match 1: Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair vs Natalya & Trish Stratus
Lynch and Natalya push each other and look to wrestle each other to the ground. Neither gain much ground and Natalya is able to land a takedown. Lynch fights back and slams her to the mat. Natalya works out of it and locks in an armbar. Lynch fights out and works it into a cover but Natalya kicks out. Lynch looks for what could have been a sharpshooter but Natalya counters. Charlotte tags in and tees off with chops. She lands a role through from the apron and stays on her. Natalya looks to take her down and lands a cover but Charlotte kicks out. Charlotte picks the ankle of Natalya and then lands a big boot. Charlotte stays on her and works the neck of Natalya. Se rag dolls her on the mat and keeps the hold on while taunting Stratus. Lynch looks for a tag but Charlotte fools her and walks away. She goes back to Natalya and uses the ropes to continuing wrenching on her neck. Natalya tries to fight back but is caught with an elbow to the face. Charlotte goes for the cover but Natalya kicks out. Natalya then is able to bounce her off the turnbuckle. Natalya looks for the Sharpshooter but Charlotte fights out. Natalya takes down Charlotte and looks for a tag but Charlotte is right back up and stops her. Natalya tries a roll-up but Charlotte kicks out. Charlotte lands a big suplex and she then goes back to taunting Stratus. Lynch tags in hard and Charlotte blindsides her from behind. Charlotte then walks away. Natalya steps through and is able to lock in the Sharpshooter. Lynch makes it to the ropes but Natalya doesn’t let go of the hold and is disqualified. She drags her to the middle of the ring and keeps the hold locked in. Stratus tries to get Natalya off of her and Natalya pushes her into the ropes.
Winners: Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair: Via DQ
My Opinion:
I’m disappointed we didn’t get to see Trish in the ring at all but it builds the anticipation for her in-ring return on Sunday. The big story though was Natalya showed Becky Lynch she has a big threat coming her way at SummerSlam. This is a different Natalya than we’ve seen before and if she keeps that aggression and locks in that SharpShooter we could very well have a new champion. Her even pushing Trish shows she is in a different mind state right now and is focused on one thing. As for Charlotte she showed Trish she is more than ready and Trish I’m sure sees this is going to be one of the hardest matches she has ever had.

Match 2: Rey Mysterio vs Andrade
Mysterio is able to land a drop toe hold and drop Andrade to the mat. He stays on Andrade but Andrade uses his strength and takes control. Andrade hits him with his hip in the corner and keeps momentum. Mysterio fights back and is able to send him to the outside. Mysterio slides to the outside and lands a sunset flip to send Andrade into the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Andrade outs Mysterio on his shoulders on the second ropes. Mysterio fights back and lands a hurricanrana to send him crashing to the mat. Mysterio tries a cover but can’t get the three. Mysterio lands a big kick and then follows with a seated senton. He continues the face pace and keeps Andrade on the ropes. Mysterio again lands a huge kick off a missed senton and goes for the cover but Andrade kicks out. Mysterio lands a sunset bomb and lands into the cover but once again Andrade kicks out. Andrade fights back and hits him with a chop. He then hits him with a huge back elbow as Mysterio comes off the ropes. Andrade goes for the cover but can’t get the three. Off the top rope, Andrade hits a double stomp and again tries a cover but still can’t get the win. Mysterio tries a springboard but can’t quite hit. He is able to land a crucifix driver into a pin but Andrade kicks out. Andrade catches Mysterio and throws him into the corner. Andrade then lands double knees. He goes for the cover but Mysterio kicks out again. After a failed cover Mysterio stays on him and turns him inside out. He lands another cover but still can’t put Andrade away. Mysterio is finally able to connect with the 619. He flies for the splash but Andrade is able to get his knees up. Andrade goes for the cover but Mysterio kicks out. Now Mysterio works a pin and Andrade kicks out. Andrade plants him with a powerbomb and then tries to rip the mask off of Mysterio. Mysterio fights out and Zelina takes a cheap shot. Andrade plants him with a DDT and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Andrade
My Opinion:
What a match between these two! So many creative moves, so many near falls, so many counters! These guys know each other so well, they know how to test each other and every time they face they push each other to the limit. I loved what I saw and I would love to see this one again. Andrade gets the victory thanks in part to Zelina but she is what makes him dangerous and why he could be a future champion. He not only has the talent but he has an ace up his sleeve with Zelina. With this win, it looks like big things are ahead for Zelina!

24/7 Championship:
We first see the actions that transpired last week to lead to Maria Kanellis being the 24/7 Champion. We then see a video from earlier today showing Mike and Maria at her OBGYN appointment. She tells Mike he has one job to protect her, her unborn child, and her 24/7 Championship. He tells her he won’t let her down. She says that’ll be the day. She is then called in for her appointment as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Maria is in for her appointment and she tells Mike to show her some testosterone and to prove he can protect her. Mike goes to give her a hug and the 3 count is made as a WWE ref Jessika Carr was dressed up like the doctor. Mike wins the 24/7 title. R-Truth is then sitting out in the waiting room. Mike questions why Truth followed them here. Truth says Mike has something that belongs to him. He then says oh my water broke. He pulls out a fake baby and then throws up the fake baby. Mike catches it and Truth pins him and wins back the 24/7 Championship. Truth tells Mike he has his baby and now he has his. Carmella comes out and celebrates. She jumps on Truth’s back and the two get out of there.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Becky if the home field advantage is going to give Natalya the edge. She says Natalya can bring the whole Hart family, she has let Canada down her whole career and why should start now. She continues on that she has changed this business and tells how during that Nattie was on tv changing her bikini. She says when she was standing with a broken nose and a bloody face Nattie was on Instagram. She says Natalya can talk about not getting her chance but she is the one thing her career has been missing.

Backstage Segment:
Natalya says there will be a huge celebration when she wins. She says if Becky breaks her arm she is not going to tap. She says the SharpShooter tonight was a taste of how she is going to end her career and become the Raw Women’s Champion.

Backstage Segment:
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman head to the ring.

In-Ring Segment: Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman
Heyman says his client has not just authorized him but has instructed and ordered him to educate each and everyone live and at home. He then asks a few questions and asks isn’t Seth Rollins suppose to be the beast slayer, the conquers conquer, the one man that had Lesnar’s number, the one who would be the one to burn down Suplex City, the new hero for the WWE Universe, isn’t he suppose to be Seth Frickn’ Rollins? He says the answers lie in the footage he will show right fricken’ now. The footage is then shown of last weeks attack. Heyman says last week he begged for the beast to show some mercy for Seth fricken’ Rollins. He then says Seth Rollins is in Pittsburgh tonight. He tells the crowd he doesn’t know why they would cheer someone who would go down in a blaze of glory. He says Rollins has more balls than brains. Rollins music then hits and here he comes limping with a chair.
Heyman tells him to go home, he says to back away and that he is going to get hurt. Rollins gets in the ring and Lesnar goes right after his ribs. Lesnar keeps him down and grabs a chair. He hits Rollins in the midsection and then on the back. He lifts Rollins and drives him into the corner. He lifts him again and once more drives him into the corner. Rollins tries to stand and Lesnar pushes him to the ground. Lensar hits him with a kick and toys with him. Rollins is lifted and Lesnar hits him with an F5. Lesnar then holds up the title over Rollins as raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, it is shown Lesnar hit him with another F5 during the commercial. Rollins is then being helped in the ring. Rollins gets on the mic and says it has gotten to the point where he has to ask himself if this is worth it. He tells that you love something so much you’d do anything to protect it and keep it safe even if the thing you love keeps you getting beat to a pulp inside and out week after week after week. He says for him the answer is yes because this is all he is every second of every day. This is all he’s ever wanted, this is all he’s got. He says he will be at SummerSlam and he will beat Brock Lesnar, he guarantees it.
My Opinion:
Well, Lesnar once again has laid out Rollins. Rollins came out barley holding together and now he is broken. He looked like a shell of himself and it’s hard to believe he can make it to SummerSlam after this but if Rollins says he will then I believe him. Beating Lesnar is going to be a different story but you know Rollins will go down as Heyman said in a blaze of glory. Rollins wants to be champion and you can believe whatever he has in the tank he will give all of it to try to win back the title. This is either going to end really ugly or Rollins will walk out of there as one of the toughest guys if not the toughest in WWE.

Backstage Segment:
Charly welcomes Kurt Angle who is the special guest ref for Cedric Alexander and Drew Mcintyre tonight. Angle says it’s great to be back in his hometown. The Street Profits then come up and say they have to defend their titles the night before SummerSlam. They then pull out some milk. Kurt tells them he promised his wife he wouldn’t do anything too crazy. They ask him if he is Mike Kanellis. They then tell him he is a hero. He says okay just one. Mcintyre comes up and tells Kurt he knows he is the hometown guy but he can’t help but remember what happened the last time they were in the ring. He says he wants to make sure Kurt calls this down the middle. He tells him if he steps out of line he is going to take his boot and crack his skull open. Oh, it’s true, it’s damn true.

Match 3: The Viking Raiders vs Local Talent
Ivar starts off the match and takes it to their opponent. He then hits the other guy off the apron. He stays on him and tags Erik. Erik unleashes on his opponent. He takes it to him and then tags in Ivar. Ivar hits a big splash. They then hit the Viking Experience. They get the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: The Viking Raiders
My Opinion:
The Viking Raiders pick up the win tonight but judging from the crowd reaction this whole facing local talent is getting old. There was actually like no reaction and if they want these guys to get over and be successful they better face some real competition real soon. Right now they are not the destructive tag team they are supposed to be. They have so much more to offer but right now they’re being held back. Hopefully, this is fixed before they lose steam.

*** Harley Race remembrance video package is shown

Drew Mcintyre vs Cedric Alexander: Special Guest Referee Kurt Angle
Before the match, Mcintyre runs down the ramp and hits him from behind. He throws him into the barricade and then hits him with a chop that sends Cedric inside out. Mcintyre brings him to the other side and throws him into the barricade again. He grabs him and looks to slam him but Cedric fights back. He sends him face-first into the post. He then flies and hits a tornado DDT driving him into the floor. The lights then go out and the Fiend Bray Wyatt is in the ring and locks in the mandible claw on Kurt Angle. The lights go out and he is gone. Raw goes to break.
My Opinion:
Mcintyre obviously is tired of Cedric Alexander and tried to take him out tonight but Cedric is a fighter and over the past few weeks he has shown that. He didn’t let Mcintyre get the best of him and fought back. Thi sis a match that I hope we do see, for Cedric this would be huge because win, lose, or draw if he hangs with Mcintyre he would prove so much and put himself in a great position for the future. As for the actions of Bray Wyatt, he continues to take out legends and show how dangerous the Fiend is. I can’t wait for his debt in the ring this Sunday!

Match 4: The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson w/ AJ Styles)
Anderson hits Woods with a right hand and tries to hammer on him in the corner but Woods fights out. Styles gets invovled and hits Woods with a forearm. The O.C. continue to beat down on Woods and the bells is called for. They continue the beat down now taking down Big E as well. Ricochet comes out and takes out Gallows and Anderson. He then takes it to Styles and sends him flying.
Winners: The New Day: Via Dq

Match 5: The New Day ( Big E & Xavier Woods) & Ricochet vs The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson & AJ Styles)
As raw returns, Styles has a headlock on Ricochet. Ricochet is thrown into the corner but he is able to bounce out and land an arm drag on Styles. He takes him down to the mat and Styles goes to the ropes. Styles goes for a kick and is able to take it to Ricochet. Ricochet works a roll-up but Styles kicks out. He tries another cover but gets another near fall. Styles hits him in the face and is able to make a tag. Anderson doesn’t get much going before being hit with a forearm. He is able to hit a neck breaker and goes for the cover but Anderson kicks out. Big E gets the tag and hits Anderson with right hands to the gut. Anderson fights back with a kick to the knee of Big E. Gallows tags in and he drops Big E with rights and lefts in the corner. Gallows hits a suplex and tries a cover but Big E kicks out. He then rains down with 12 to 6 elbows. He works the neck of Big E but Big E fights back. Gallows hits him with a huge kick that sends him to the mat. He then takes Ricochet and Woods down as well. He stays on Big E and tags Styles. Styles hammers on him in the corner but Big E has life and fights back. Styles stays on him and then launches himself off the top rope. Big E sidesteps him and slams him. Woods comes to and tags in, Anderson does as well. Woods takes down Anderson and then takes it to Styles with the honor roll. He hits Anderson with a sliding knee and goes for the cover but Gallows breaks it up. Styles takes out Big E with a Phenomenal Forearm. Ricochet takes Styles to the outside but he is then driven into the barricade. Anderson plants Woods with a DDT after Styles gets invovled. Gallows tags in and he and Anderson hit the Magic Killer. Gallows goes for the cover and pins Woods for the 1 2 3.
Winners: The O.C.
My Opinion:
The O.C. continue their dominance and honestly, they won this match with ease. They worked so well together and you can see what they can do when all three of them are working together. Ricochet didn’t get any advantage in this and now he is walking into SummerSlam with a very dangerous AJ Styles. I feel like Ricochet really needed to make a statement tonight but just couldn’t. The O.C. is on a roll and it will be hard to stop them anytime soon. Ricochet will go down fighting but winning the title is going to be tough.

Backstage Segment:
Samoa Joe is told Roman Reigns is on his way to the arena. He tells the stagehand to tell everyone Raw is officially shut down. He then heads to the ring.

In-Ring Segment: Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe calls out Reigns but Reigns doesn’t come. He says okay we will play it your way he brings a chair into the ring and then sits in it. He says the show is shut down until Reigns comes out and apologizes. He gives Reigns until the count of three but he still doesn’t come out. He says he has all night and tells Reigns all he has to do is walk down the aisle. He asks where he is at and says they are holding it all up for him. He tells the crowd they are all sitting on their hands because Roman is too much of a coward to get down here and apologize. Joe gets word Reigns is here and in the parking lot. He says he is impatient and is going to find his ass. He heads up the ramp and into the back. Backstage Joe is looking for him in the parking lot. A car pulls in and he tells Reigns he has been looking for him all night. Reigns get out and a car comes from the side and tries to hit Reigns but he gets into the car before they can and instead they hit Reigns rental car. Raw then goes to break.
As Raw returns, we see that during the commercial break the car speeds off. Joe opens the door and tells Reigns to stay down. He yells for a medic to come. Triple H comes out to check on him as well.
My Opinion:
This Reigns story continues to get interesting and hopefully tomorrow night we will get answers. Someone is trying to take Reigns out and there is a lot of speculation as to who it is. Reigns obviously will be coming for them and hopefully, that will be at SummerSlam. The reveal of this I hope is a good one and really has a payoff. The mystery tho continues, for now…

Match 6: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kari Sane w/ Paige) vs Fire and Desire (Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville) vs Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs Peyton Royce & Billie Kay (C): WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Match
Rose locks up with Kay and Kay backs her into the corner. Royce tags in and stomps on Rose. Kay comes back in and they land a double team on Rose. they then take cheap shots on Asuka and Sane. they then take out Cross. They knock down Bliss and then hit a double team suplex on her. They pull in Sane and lift her to then slam her on the mat. They take it to Asuka now and send her to the outside. Rose takes out Royce from behind and then tries a roll-up on Kay but Kay kicks out. Kay fights back and The Iconics look for a double team but Deville takes down Royce. Rose tries a cover but can’t get the three. Rose stays on her and works another cover and this time she gets the 1 2 3 to eliminate The Iconics to guarantee we will have new champions as Raw goes to break!
As Raw returns, Cross tags in Asuka instead of facing Rose. Rose and Asuka lock up and Asuka backs her to the ropes. Rose then tags in Bliss. Bliss then goes and tags in Deville. Deville runs at Asuka but Asuka moves out of the way. They lock up and Deville gets a headlock. Asuka comes back and hits a shoulder tackle. She then hits her with a series of kicks. Deville lands a waist lock takedown and hemmers with kicks out her own. Asuka takes her down and tags in Sane. Bliss comes in and hits Sane with a kick. Bliss mocks her but pays as Sane hits her with a stomp to the midsection. Asula comes in and drops the hammer on Bliss’s arm. Rose tags in and hits Asuka with a right hand. Deville comes in now and they double team Asuka. Deville goes for the cover but Asuka kicks out. Rose comes back in but Asuka fights both of them off. Rose hits a big knee and but it isn’t enough to put Asuka away. Rose goes to slam Asuka but can’t. Asuka hits her with a huge knee after fighting out. Asuka locks in the Asuka lock and Rose taps. Fire and Desire have been eliminated as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Asuka works on the leg of Cross with an ankle lock. She then wrenches on the jaw to continue the punishment. Cross reverse the hold and pulls on the hair of Asuka. Cross pulls her into the corner and tags bliss. Cross hits Asuka on the collar bone and Bliss comes in with a slap. Bliss hits Asuka with a kick and Cross then comes in. Cross tees off on her and then hits her with a thrust to the throat. Asuka goes down and Cross tries a cover but Asuka kicks out. Cross brings her to her feet and then slams her to the mat. Another pin attempt and another kicks out from Asuka. Cross gets her into the corner and continues to punish Asuka. Asuka fights out and rolls through to try to get a tag but Cross comes to and prevents it. Both women go down and both now make tags. Sane hits Bliss with a dropkick and stays on her. She hits Cross off the apron and then hits Bliss with an elbow. Cross tries to help out but Asuka stays on her and Asuka locks in the Asuka lock. Bliss rolls threw and works a cover. Bliss comes at Asuka and is hit with a kick. Sane comes in and looks to fly but cross pushes her off. Cross then gets Asuka caught in the apron. Bliss then hits her with a dropkick. Bliss hits Sane with a right hand and then hits Twisted Bliss. Bliss goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3!!!!!
Winners: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
My Opinion:
Yes! Finally! For weeks I have been saying Bliss and Cross needed to be the Tag Team champions and they are now! These two are a heck of a team, they’re on the same page, they’re great heels together and I can’t wait to see what they do with these. They’re on tv every week and now these titles will get the air time and respect they deserve. This was awesome, I loved it, and a big congrats to Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross!!!!

In-Ring Segment: Miz TV: Contract Signing: The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler: w/ Special Guest Shawn Michaels.
Miz days he requested this because he wanted to ensure Ziggler would show up this Sunday. He then welcomes Shawn Michaels. He then welcomes the pariah of WWE Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler says he would rather be a pariah than being an ass kisser like these two. He says he has been stealing shows for a decade when he wasn’t supposed to. He says he was the best thing to happen to pro wrestling and he is the only legend in this ring. He tells Miz if he thinks he can beat him then good luck. He tells Miz when he beats him he will get the adulation he deserves of being a living breathing legend. Ziggler then goes to sign the contract. Miz says this is what you’ve done since you’ve been here with poking and prying and name-calling. Miz tells him if wnats adulation, the truth it’s Dolph that is the problem. Miz says he can’t wait to get his hands on him next Monday. Miz tells him that’s right you didn’t read the fine print, it’s not me versus you it’s you versus someone else. Shawn. steps up and says it’s not me. Out comes Goldberg! Goldberg gets in the ring and Ziggler quickly exits. Goldberg then picks up the contract and signs it. Goldberg tells Ziggler guess what son you’re next! Before Raw goes off the air Shawn Michaels hits him with a Superkick.

Final Thoughts:
This was a very good episode tonight, we had good story development, good matches, and a great pace throughout! First up, the Roman Reigns story was awesome tonight, Samoa Joe kicked the show off hot and then obviously we got more development with Reigns almost being run over. This continues to develop and we continue the mystery, which is very compelling. I thought Natalya showed a lot tonight in the opening match. Lynch seems somewhat defeated and right now Nattie has the upper hand. This new side of her is awesome and she is very dangerous heading into SummerSlam. I loved the match between Mysterio and Andrade, those two always put on great matches and tonight was no different. The O.C. continued their domination and look like the force to beat going forward on Raw and in WWE as a whole. The Bray Wyatt appearance taking out Kurt Angle was awesome as well. Wyatt is killing this character and I think we are all ready for him to be in a match this Sunday! Big congrats to Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross on winning the Tag Team Championships! I have been asking for this for weeks and it finally happened! They will bring prominence to these titles and finally after months bring them back into the spotlight. Fianlly, to end the night we get Goldberg! I love Goldberg and I’m someone who belives a legend like that should go out on his terms so if he wants this then he should have this. Ziggler will be a great opponent because he is great at selling and he will look like the machine that Goldberg is, was, and always will be! I can’t wait to see this match! Overall, it was a great night and I’m beyond excited for SummerSlam!!!!!!
Overall Rating: 6.7/10